Multifocal Vitelliform Paravascular Retinopathy (MVPR): A New Disorder in the Vitelliform Spectrum

Am J Ophthalmol. 2025 Jan:269:362-372. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2024.08.028. Epub 2024 Sep 4.

Abstract

Purpose: To describe a new retinal phenotype characterized by bilateral, multifocal, subretinal vitelliform lesions along the vascular arcades that we refer to as multifocal vitelliform paravascular retinopathy (MVPR).

Design: Observational case series.

Methods: Multimodal retinal imaging including color fundus photography, fundus autofluorescence and cross sectional and en-face optical coherence tomography was performed to evaluate and characterize the lesions of MVPR.

Results: Thirteen asymptomatic patients aged 10 to 78 [mean 49 ± 24, 49% under 50] were evaluated for bilateral retinal lesions. Initial visual acuity was 20/30 or better in 22 (85%) eyes. Of the 20 eyes with follow-up, 14 (70%) exhibited visual acuity 20/30 or better at final follow-up. Multifocal small round yellow lesions with distinct borders were identified along the vascular arcades in all patients. The vitelliform lesions were brightly hyperautofluorescent and consisted of focal areas of subretinal hyperreflective material on optical coherence tomography (OCT) that in some cases evolved to hyporeflective spaces (or retinal pigment epithelium atrophy) with associated hypoautofluorescence. When performed, electroretinography (ERG) and electrooculography (EOG) testing were normal and genetic testing was negative for variants in BEST1 and other genes associated with vitelliform retinopathies.

Conclusions: MVPR may represent a novel entity of vitelliform disorders with a distinct clinical presentation and phenotype and generally favorable prognosis.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Electroretinography*
  • Female
  • Fluorescein Angiography* / methods
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multimodal Imaging
  • Retinal Pigment Epithelium / pathology
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence* / methods
  • Visual Acuity* / physiology
  • Vitelliform Macular Dystrophy* / diagnosis
  • Vitelliform Macular Dystrophy* / genetics
  • Vitelliform Macular Dystrophy* / physiopathology
  • Young Adult